There’s something about cold summer salads that just scream of hot pool days, with burgers on the grill and cocktails in hand. I recently made Tabbouleh and it was fabulous!
What’s Tabbouleh, you say? Don’t be scared, I’m not sure I know how to pronounce it either. Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern vegetarian dish with cucumber, parsley, tomato, red onion, bulgur wheat and a whole bunch of other goodies.
This was the first time I tried bulgar wheat. It tastes very similar to quinoa or couscous, and cooks nearly the same. I found a package of Bob’s Red Bill Bulgar Wheat in the organic section of my grocery store. But don’t feel like you have to run to the store to grab this unique ingredient – substitute it with couscous, lots of people do!
Here’s a close-up glamour shot of he Tabbouleh salad… isn’t she a beauty?! I LOVE how festive and summery the colors are. After all, people eat with their eyes first! I’m pretty sure that’s how Pinterest caught on so fast.
Hubs was a pretty big fan. Mr. I’m-on-a-health-kick while all I want to bake are cookies, cakes and all things bad for you sinful (I’m so bad, but it’s true!). This salad fit his criteria for fresh ingredients, lots of healthy vitamins and low carb. And I have to agree… this is one dish you feel amazing eating!
- 1/4 cup bulgur wheat
- Boiling water (just enough to cover the bulgur wheat by 1/2")
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- Juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 bunch flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 tomato, diced
- Place the bulgur in a small bowl and cover with just boiled water by 1/2-inch. Set aside to soak until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and salt. Add the bulgur wheat, stir, then cover. Let sit for 30 minutes to 2 hours at room temperature.
- After time is up, add the parsley, cucumber, tomato and onion to the bowl. Stir well and add more salt and pepper to your liking.
Yummy!